Andrew Ball

Biography

Andrew Ball is the Founder and Managing Director of Mainstay Consulting Group Ltd., a British Virgin Islands based consultancy specialising in marine management, technical consulting, investigations, compliance, risk management and strategic maritime advisory services.

Originally from Canada, Andrew has lived and worked in the British Virgin Islands since 2009 and has developed a broad professional background spanning marine surveying, engineering, vessel operations, regulatory compliance, investigations, tourism, policy development, crisis response and business leadership. His career has been shaped by a practical understanding of the maritime industry, developed through hands-on operational experience combined with extensive involvement in technical, commercial and regulatory environments.

Andrew has been actively involved in industry leadership and advocacy throughout his career. He served as Chairman of the Marine Association of the British Virgin Islands for five years, from 2019 until his retirement from the role in March 2026, and now continues to serve the organisation as Past Chairman and a member of its Board of Directors. During his tenure, he helped guide the industry through post-hurricane recovery efforts, the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent periods of redevelopment and expansion, while promoting the continued growth, resilience and professionalisation of the Territory’s maritime sector.

Andrew currently serves as an Associate Director of the International Association of Marine Investigators (IAMI), supporting the advancement of professional standards, education and collaboration within the marine investigations community. He has also served on the British Virgin Islands Economic Advisory Council, the BVI Tourist Board and the BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association, contributing to industry development initiatives, economic policy discussions and strategic planning efforts aimed at strengthening one of the Territory’s most important industries.

Andrew’s professional experience extends across vessel operations, marine engineering, surveying, project management, consultancy, marine investigations and risk management. He has undertaken assignments throughout the Caribbean and internationally involving marinas, shipyards, yacht owners, insurers, government agencies, investors, lenders, attorneys and marine businesses. His work regularly involves complex technical matters requiring the integration of operational knowledge, engineering principles, regulatory compliance, commercial realities and stakeholder management.

Within the surveying profession, Andrew is a Full Member (MIIMS) of the International Institute of Marine Surveying and holds Certified Marine Surveyor (ACMS-CMS) status through the Association of Certified Marine Surveyors. He is approved as an MCA Certifying Authority Examiner through both the International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS) and MECAL, authorising him to undertake examinations and coding activities within UK Certifying Authority frameworks. He is also an authorised Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) Inspector through both IIMS and MECAL and holds recognition as a Marshall Islands Qualified Individual (QI).

His surveying activities encompass condition and valuation surveys, casualty investigations, damage assessments, technical inspections, compliance reviews, coding examinations, tonnage assessments, MLC inspections, refit oversight, new-build consultancy, due diligence investigations, expert witness assignments and broader technical support services for both recreational and commercial vessels.

Andrew has developed a particular interest in incident investigation, failure analysis and catastrophe response. Having experienced major disasters in the Caribbean firsthand, including Hurricanes Irma and Maria, he understands the unique challenges faced when operating in environments where communications, infrastructure and supply chains have been severely disrupted. This perspective informs his practical approach to investigations, crisis management and resilience planning, emphasising adaptability, resourcefulness and maintaining critical services under challenging circumstances.

In addition to his commercial activities, Andrew has dedicated considerable time to volunteer service. He served for more than a decade with Virgin Islands Search and Rescue (VISAR) and currently volunteers with the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, contributing to marine intelligence, investigations, risk management and public safety initiatives. In recognition of his service, he was awarded the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal.

Through Mainstay Consulting Group, Andrew provides support to vessel owners, marinas, yacht management companies, charter operators, insurers, legal professionals, financial institutions, developers and public sector organisations. The firm’s services range from day-to-day marine management and technical consulting through to strategic advisory work, policy development, investigations, dispute support and large-scale infrastructure projects.

Andrew is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Laws degree through the University of London. While not practising law, his studies complement his professional interests in maritime law, governance, regulatory frameworks, policy development and dispute resolution, enhancing his ability to navigate the increasingly complex legal and compliance considerations affecting the maritime industry.

Andrew remains committed to supporting the continued development, modernisation and long-term sustainability of the Caribbean maritime industry through consultancy, volunteer service, industry representation and collaborative engagement with stakeholders throughout the region and beyond.